Ronaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Eighteen female OFWs became the latest batch to benefit from the livelihood training seminar conducted by a Filipino organization in Jeddah. Elizabeth R. Apuyan, General Secretary of Kapit-Bisig OFW Cooperative who organized the event last Saturday, said the graduates took short courses in several fields, such as dressmaking, fashion design and massage therapy. Apuyan said the OFW's, most of whom who are domestic helpers, received diplomas upon finishing the courses in a graduation ceremony held at the Laparilla Restaurant two Fridays ago. The graduates are Dalisay D. Armamento, Ma. Regina Marco Dimaranan and Zolferina S. Dimalig who took the Dressmaking courses; Aida E. Adal, Elizabeth B. Tagud, Nida M. Gere, Rose A. Andaya and Shaada M. Ligsay who took the Fashion Design course; and Cristy A. Dugay, Carina Miah Idris,Dahlia S. Lorenzo, Divina. Coprada, Geronimo S. Alcantara, Hilma A. Omar, Jerry P. Masdoc, Margarita D. Cayabyab, Marivic M. Namion and Miguela V. Matias who took the Massage Therapy course. The graduation program was attended by officials from the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah headed by Vice Consul RJ Sumague and Vice Consul Jim Minglana along with Dr. Omega Garibay, wife of Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay. Sarah Paraluman, the group's current chairwoman, could not remember the countless numbers of OFWs who have benefited from the programs that started in 2003. She said the most important thing is that they were able to meet their objective of providing additional skills to their fellow Filipinos specially those who are working in the household sector. “It is very important that they learn other kinds of skills so they can use it when they settle for good in the Philippines. Our organization is always there to serve them," Paraluman said. The training instructors were Norma Pedregosa for dressmaking, Elizabeth R. Apuyan for fashion design and Gina Perez for massage therapy.
